On the cusp of her third Invictus Games, New Zealand Team co-captain Sergeant Kelly Whittle is excited for her teammates and colleagues from other nations to experience the benefits of participating at Invictus Games Sydney 2018.
Whittle, who is co-captain with Gareth Pratt, said she had little understanding of the Invictus Games concept before she competed at the inaugural event, in London in 2014.
However, the army medic – who has post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries following deployment to Afghanistan – left feeling uplifted by having taken part and from feeling the support of the service personnel community and general public.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, nor did I have much insight into what the Invictus Games was, but I walked away with the greatest admiration for what HRH Prince Harry had put together,” said Whittle.
“The camaraderie that many of us have with members of the other participating nations – many of us have already made lifelong friends with those of who have similar injuries, which also helps with our own recovery.
“It’s also about meeting new team members from new nations and showing them what the Invictus Games is all about, the spirit that is found, that there is no judgement, and that we’re all there to help one another through some of the toughest times of our lives by experiencing one of the best times together.”
New Zealand’s team of 24 competitors will join participants from 17 other nations at the fourth edition of the Invictus Games, in Sydney from 20-27 October. More than 500 current and former service personnel will take part.
The New Zealand team will compete in archery, athletics, indoor rowing, hand cycling, powerlifting, road cycling, sailing, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
Whittle said she was looking forward to putting her athletic determination to the test.
“I am a big fan of wheelchair rugby, what an awesome sport to participate in – and even better that people with many different disabilities are able to participate,” she said.
“I also enjoy both shot put and discus, more so for the competitive streak in me and wanting to throw further each time I pick them up. Sport creates a place for me to zone out, forget all the issues that are bothering me and helps remarkably with my mental health.”
Invictus Games also helps from a wider perspective, Whittle said, offering participating nation communities the chance to recognise their military personnel and better understand the issues that can arise from service.
“The support of the public, whether great or small, in the eyes of the participants, means the world. It’s great to see the support being shown all over the world, and also for us in New Zealand. It can and will help many suffering individuals more than they will ever know.”
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David Sygall
Invictus Games Sydney 2018